Winmark (NASDAQ:WINA) Cut to "Hold (C+)" at Weiss Ratings

Key Points

• Winmark's stock was downgraded from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "hold (c+)" rating by Weiss Ratings, reflecting analysts' reduced confidence in the stock.
• The company's shares recently traded at $486.32, a decline of 1.8%, with a twelve-month high of $527.37 and a low of $295.79.
• CEO Brett D. Heffes and Director Lawrence A. Barbetta both sold shares in recent transactions, indicating a decrease in insider ownership.

Winmark (NASDAQ:WINA - Get Free Report) was downgraded by stock analysts at Weiss Ratings from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "hold (c+)" rating in a report released on Wednesday,Weiss Ratings reports.

Winmark Trading Down 1.8%

WINA stock traded down $9.09 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $486.32. 82,689 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 83,934. The firm's 50 day moving average is $459.63 and its 200 day moving average is $407.10. Winmark has a twelve month low of $295.79 and a twelve month high of $527.37. The firm has a market cap of $1.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 43.30 and a beta of 0.71.

Winmark (NASDAQ:WINA - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 15th. The specialty retailer reported $2.89 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.88 by $0.01. Winmark had a negative return on equity of 98.49% and a net margin of 49.48%.The business had revenue of $20.42 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.31 million.

Insider Activity at Winmark

In other news, CEO Brett D. Heffes sold 4,971 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $453.89, for a total value of $2,256,287.19. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 114,400 shares of the company's stock, valued at $51,925,016. This represents a 4.16% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Lawrence A. Barbetta sold 852 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $505.02, for a total value of $430,277.04. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 649 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $327,757.98. This represents a 56.76% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 8,264 shares of company stock valued at $3,797,366. Company insiders own 10.10% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Winmark

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of WINA. Fisher Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Winmark in the second quarter valued at approximately $31,021,000. Alliancebernstein L.P. grew its holdings in Winmark by 2,358.0% during the second quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 73,739 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $27,845,000 after purchasing an additional 70,739 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP grew its holdings in Winmark by 2,478.1% during the second quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 44,086 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $16,647,000 after purchasing an additional 42,376 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its holdings in Winmark by 2,706.5% during the first quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 25,034 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $7,958,000 after purchasing an additional 24,142 shares during the period. Finally, Select Equity Group L.P. grew its holdings in Winmark by 766.0% during the first quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. now owns 23,450 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $7,454,000 after purchasing an additional 20,742 shares during the period. 73.32% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Winmark

Winmark Corporation, a resale company operates as a franchisor for small business in the United States and Canada. The company franchises retail stores concepts that buy, sell and trade merchandise. It also operates middle-market equipment leasing business. In addition, the company buys and sells used clothing and accessories geared toward the teenage and young adult market under Plato's Closet brand; and operates stores which buys and sells used and new children's clothing, toys, furniture, equipment, and accessories primarily to parents of children ages infant to 12 years under the Once Upon A Child brand.

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